WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
phi•lat•e•ly /fɪˈlætəli/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
phi•lat•e•list, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Stampsthe collection and study of postage stamps.
phi•lat•e•list, n. [countable]
phi•lat•e•ly
(fi lat′l ē),USA pronunciation n.
phil•a•tel•ic
(fil′ə tel′ik),USA pronunciation phil′a•tel′i•cal, adj.
phil′a•tel′i•cal•ly, adv.
phi•lat•e•list
(fi lat′l ist),USA pronunciation n.
- Stampsthe collecting of stamps and other postal matter as a hobby or an investment.
- Stampsthe study of postage stamps, revenue stamps, stamped envelopes, postmarks, postal cards, covers, and similar material relating to postal or fiscal history.
- Greek phil- phil- + atéleia freedom from charges (taken to mean recipient's freedom from delivery charges by virtue of the stamp which sender affixed to the letter), literally, want of taxation, equivalent. to a- a-6 + tél(os) tax + -eia -y3
- French philatélie
- 1860–65;
'philatelist' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):